Market Leader – Strategic Planning - Infrastructure & Catchment Management
Market Leader – Strategic Planning - Infrastructure & Catchment Management
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.
The water industry is evolving rapidly, but more complexity doesn’t always mean better outcomes. That’s why our mission is clear: to ensure the water infrastructure that supports our communities is adaptive, future-ready, and resilient, while also that it is affordable and fit for purpose. We place emphasis on the importance of proper planning and understanding of risk to help inform solutions that are resilient, usable, and built to last. It’s not about building more — it’s about building smarter, with clarity, consistency, and impact.
THE ROLE
We’re seeking a Market Leader – Strategic Planning - Infrastructure & Catchment Management to drive the growth, delivery, and reputation of Stantec’s multidisciplinary services in this space across Aotearoa.
This is a senior market leadership role with accountability for setting direction, shaping client strategy, and positioning Stantec nationally in water infrastructure and catchment planning. The role goes beyond technical excellence, it is about influencing investment decisions, policy-informed planning, and long-term servicing strategies for communities.
You will be accountable for where and how Stantec plays nationally in Strategy & Planning frameworks, panels, programmes, and major projects. This includes building senior relationships with councils, water service providers, and emerging Water Entities; working with Business Leaders and Technical Leads to achieve national growth targets; and strengthening Stantec’s reputation as the leading strategic planning partner in the NZ water sector.
You will work closely with our multidisciplinary technical teams across water, wastewater, stormwater master planning, network planning, flood risk management, water resources, and catchment management. Your focus will be at the front end of the value chain, leading strategy, investment planning, option evaluation, and decision support.
As a senior member of the New Zealand Water Leadership Team, you will lead and grow our national Strategy & Planning and Catchment Management community and collaborate with global counterparts to bring best practice and innovation into NZ.
As our NZ Market Leader – Strategic Planning - Infrastructure & Catchment Management, you will:
Set the national direction for Strategy & Planning services
Represent Stantec at executive, board, and industry level
Shape client investment strategies and growth pathways
Provide leadership on climate resilience, urban growth, affordability, and digital planning
Maintain selective senior project involvement
Work closely with the other Market Leads particularly Advisory, Digital and Infrastructure Design Delivery to align Stantec’s position, strategy and opportunities.
Mentor senior practitioners nationally
What You’ll Bring
This role will suit a senior leader already operating nationally with major water clients, who enjoys shaping strategy, influencing decision‑makers, and building capability.
Established credibility and strong relationships in the water sector.
Expertise in the strategy and planning of 3 Waters Networks and Water Resources.
Proven leadership in growing business, winning work, and influencing industry direction.
National connections with existing Councils and with new water entities across New Zealand
Experience and understanding in working with large NZ metropolitan water clients and the complexities of dealing with water delivery in a political environment while maintaining close connections to management and board levels.
Ability to collaborate across disciplines and geographies to deliver holistic solutions.
Strong focus on safety, quality, and innovation.
What we offer
Along with a competitive salary we offer many other benefits to ensure your professional development & wellbeing is ongoing.
Flexible Working Arrangements including purchasing up to 4 weeks additional leave and provision for school term contracts
Learning and Talent Development Programs including global programmes, online learning and on-the-job learning
Mentoring for your own development
Professional Memberships
Health Insurance – Income Protection Insurance – Life Insurance
Service Recognition Awards
Employee Assistance Program
About us
The Stantec community unites approximately 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across six continents. We collaborate across disciplines and industries to bring water, transport and infrastructure projects to life. Our work from initial project concept and planning through design, construction and commissioning is built on a nearly 200-year history. So, when we take on a project, we see the opportunity to make a lasting connection with the people and places where we live and work.
If you're passionate about creating future-ready water solutions and want to be at the forefront of shaping New Zealand’s treatment sector, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply now or contact Renee Anderson on 027 340 2459 for a confidential conversation.
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